It didn’t take long for Auburn freshman goalkeeper Amy Howard, a 2009 Mandeville High graduate, to make her mark on the Tigers’ club being named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week following the team’s season opening match at Samford Aug. 23. The teams battled to a double-overtime, scoreless match.

Howard registered a pair of saves on five shots as Auburn held Samford scoreless for the fifth time in the six-match series.

Howard came up big as Auburn was at a man disadvantage for the final 65:54 of the match as a player was red carded with 54 seconds left in the first half.

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“I was nervous coming in, every freshman is, but as the game went on I recognized that our backs are really solid,” Howard said.

“It is such an honor (to be named SEC Freshman of the Week),” Howard said. “We have played one game. I can’t believe that I was selected.”

At press time, Auburn (0-0-1) was scheduled to host Dayton on Friday.

“It is unbelievable that I was able to come in and have the opportunity to start right away. My back line kept telling me before the Samford match not to worry because they had confidence that I was going to do well. I love Auburn so much and I’m on a tremendous team with a great bunch of girls,” Howard said. Howard said the college game is faster and the players are stronger.

“Everyone in college is so technically sound.”

Howard’s shutout was the first recorded by an Auburn freshman goalkeeper since Megan Rivera began her career with a 1-0 victory over UAB in 2001.

Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa described Howard’s play.

“Amy played fantastic. She didn’t have a lot to do in the first half when we were still numbers-even, but the couple balls she did have with her feet she cleared out great,” Hoppa said.

“For her to play in that situation in this intense of a game, knowing we are a man down, knowing we have tired backs, Amy did a great job of keeping her composure and giving the back line confidence. She cleaned up everything behind them and did it perfectly.”

Howard is majoring in elementary education and wants to become a second grade teacher. She said math is her favorite subject.